The sun set an hour or so ago and we are gliding through the darkness, with the only light coming from the millions of stars in the sky above our head. Sounds romantic, however, I can't properly enjoy it with Mr Grumpy practically burning a hole in my back with his disapproval. Honestly, I can't wait to get off this dragon.

On the horizon there is the distant glimmer of lights, which steadily become clearer as we draw nearer. Eventually, a sea of tents spreads out before us and behind that, a huge rock formation honeycombed with caves.

The air is heavy with the scents of roasting meat and aromatic spices, while the sounds of tribal music spill out from the largest tent. When we land, Kai grabs me around the waist, tucks me against his body and jumps down.

"I can dismount a dragon unaided," I grumble.

He ignores me and I have to endure the ignominy of dangling there, with my feet not even touching the ground. My attempts to wriggle free are futile because his arm is like an iron girder. I'm tempted to kick him, though doubt that would improve our relations.

The three dragons take flight, each selecting one of the caves.

Finally, Kai places me on my feet and barks, "I do not expect any trouble from you, so behave. Otherwise you will spend the rest of the journey tied up. Understood?"

Not trusting myself to say anything polite, I curtsy demurely, although I wouldn't be surprised if the look on my face is anything but. Mr Grumpy is certainly going to get wrinkles from all that frowning if he is not careful.

His jaw clenches and he commands, "Stay close to one of us at all times."

With that, he strides off leaving me with the twins. I still don't know their names, not that it would help because I can't tell them apart. They step closer, making me feel crowded and I swallow. "Do you have to stand so close?"

One of them responds, "We could stand closer."

"No thanks. I already feel like the filling in a sandwich."

"A sand witch!" He cocks his head. "What is that?"

"It is a meal from where I grew up. You take a slice of bread, add a filling, usually cheese or meat, and lay a second slice of bread on top."

"Hmm, sounds interesting," he leers and licks his lips.

I don't like his expression nor the dirty undertone of his voice and take a step backwards, only to bump into a solid body. Warm breath fans across the back of my neck and the other brother's voice rumbles close to my ear. "Tell us, what filling do you like?"

Giving a squeak, I slip between them and escape into the large tent. Inside is a riot of colour with patterned hangings and carpets in shades of amber, saffron, red and jade. The inhabitants are sat in groups on thick cushions on the floor. Some are puffing on hookahs and a waft of sweet smoke tickles my nose.

They are all massive and I can't help wondering whether Dragonites only come in extra-large size. The largest of them is Kai, who is already seated at a low mosaic table with a direct view of the entrance. I'm hesitant to approach, but he fixes me with his dark eyes. Lucky me, I get a seat in between Mr Grumpy and one of the letchy twins.

Two dusky beauties, wearing harem pants and bejewelled bustiers, sashay over carrying large blue and white patterned bowls. I look away, not wishing an eyeful of their very generous assets as they bend to place the bowls on the table.

The twin sat opposite me has no such qualms and seems transfixed by the bronzed globes in front of his face. He whispers something into the woman's ear and is rewarded with a slap around the face. He merely shrugs and grins as if to say: 'win some, lose some'.

The twin next to me grins at his brother. "Better luck next time, Cane."

Well at least I know one of their names. I glance down at the bowl in front of me and gulp at what looks like half a haunch of a goat. There is no way I can possibly eat all that.

"It will do you good to put your lips around a hunk of meat," says the twin next to me, amusement evident in his voice.

I roll my eyes at his juvenile comment and tuck in. The food is delicious. The meat practically melts in the mouth and underneath is a bed of spice-infused couscous.

Once I have taken my fill, I pluck up the courage to speak to Kai. "May I be excused from the table to use the facilities?"

"Facilities?"

I sigh. "Call of nature."

Kai tuts. "It is not safe for you to wander around on your own. Cain, you escort her and make sure she keeps out of trouble. And you, Princess," his voice falls to a low growling rumble, "do not, I repeat do not talk to anyone or think of running."

Cain, the twin next to me rises and holds out a hand to help me up. Once outside, we weave around smaller tents until we reach one with two flaming torches staked in the ground.

"My lady." Cain pulls back the tent flap. "I will await you out here."

I slip inside expecting some fetid hole in the ground. Instead I am pleasantly surprised. In the centre, a fountain cascades down into a pool and there are several areas cordoned off with silk screens.

When I finish there is no sight of Cain. I wasn't particularly paying attention on the way here, so I have a dilemma. Do I try and make my own way back and risk getting lost, or do I wait for Cain?

A large figure approaches from the shadows. At first I think that it is Cain, but as he moves into the light of the torches, I realise that he is a complete stranger, a dark, swarthy man mountain with a thick dark beard.

"You should take care." His voice has a growling edge and he takes his time looking me up and down. "A sweet little morsel like you could get eaten up."

My heart pounds and my fingers tingle. Despite being completely rattled, I refuse to show it. Placing my hands on my hips, I retort, "Well, I am not on the menu tonight."

"Says who?"

"I suggest that you take that up with Kai." I bluff and really hope that his name carries some weight.

The man raises a sceptical eyebrow. "Kai? A slip of a thing like you?"

"Maybe I like big men." Damn Elle! Mouth filter!

The man gives a hearty laugh and then Cain is by my side. All of a sudden the level of testosterone ramps up and the two men face off against each other.

"Cain, do not sweat it. I will not mess with Kai's female." The warrior saunters off, giving me a wink before disappearing.

Cain pulls at his hair. "By the fires of Ishtar! What were you thinking, talking to him?"

"Well, where were you?" I fire back. "You just left me on my own."

"Ah yeah!" He scrubs a hand at the back of his neck. "I got distracted. I would really appreciate it if you did not mention this to Kai. He is wound tighter than normal."

"So, is he normally the life and soul of the party?"

"Not exactly." Cain takes a swig from a flask.

"Oh, the poor baby," I respond sarcastically.

He chokes on his drink and sprays it across me.

"Gee, thanks." I wipe myself down. I'm probably highly flammable now.

A shadow falls over me and the air seems to thicken. I look up, right into Kai's disapproving, almost deadly stare.

"I told you to stay out of trouble."

Cain inserts himself between us. "Perhaps she should share a tent with Cade and I tonight?"

"Not an option," Kai barks out and Cain bends his head in submission before stepping aside.

"It is time for us to retire, princess," Kai almost spits the word 'princess' and before I can react, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.

I hammer ineffectively against his back. "Put me down. You ... you barbarian!"

Seemingly oblivious to my fists, he marches off and carries me into a tent before slinging me unceremoniously onto a large bed. I bounce twice and push the hair out of my eyes.

"Stay there, ice maiden," Kai commands, before turning his back and unstrapping several blades.

Rather than ice, it is the heat of fury that rushes through me like wildfire. Then my magic follows, cooling my flushed skin. I so rarely have control of it, but today it comes to my aid and I grin as a ball of ice forms in my palm. I'll show him ice maiden.

Without any thought for the consequences, I lob it at him. With a true aim, it hits the back of the head. There is a gush of steam as the thing vaporises.

Very slowly, he turns and if I thought he was angry before, well... I'm really in trouble now!

.......